UVM’s New Farmer Project Presents: Cold Storage for Produce Webinar

Thursday, October 17, Noon – 1 pmESTCold Storage Options for Beginning Produce Farmers A UVM Extension New Farmer Project webinar. Vermont’s food systems are experiencing increased localization, value addition, diversification, extension of growing season and increased market demand. Growers are now seeing enhanced value in storing and marketing their produce year-round. Crop storage can be costly and the construction and operation of an efficient and well-designed system is essential to a farm’s profitability in winter and early spring markets. Chris Callahan, UVM Extension Ag Engineer will present on biological processes of crops in storage, storage characteristics of various crops, and sizing and design considerations of storage systems. The presentation will include the basics of heating and refrigeration and construction for utility and efficiency (including manufactured boxes, DIY construction, and CoolBots™). The webinar is tailored for new and aspiring farmers and will be based the longer workshops currently being offered around Vermont.Newcomers to online learning are welcome. All you need to participate is internet access and a computer that you can hear sound through. To participate, please go to http://go.uvm.edu/aemon at about11:45 a.m EST on October 17, 2013 and click on the webinar title. For more information, contact newfarmer@uvm.edu or call 802-223-2389×203. If you require accommodations to participate in this program, please let Jessie Schmidt know by October 14, 2013 at 802-223-2389 or 1-866-860-1382 (toll-free in VT) or newfarmer@uvm.edu so we may assist you. If you have not participated in a webinar before, we recommend you download the necessary software for free the day before the webinar is scheduled at http://tiny.cc/UVMWebinarCheck.

Thursday, February 20,Noon – 1 pmESTIntroduction to Shiitake Mushroom Production. A UVM Extension New Farmer Project webinar. Presented by Ben Waterman, mushroom grower and coordinator for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education funded project, “Cultivation of Shiitake mushrooms as an agroforesty crop for New England.”

Thursday, March 20, Noon – 1 pmEST

Getting Started Growing Small Grains in New England. A UVM Extension New Farmer Project webinar. Presented by Heather Darby, Agronomic and Soils Specialist for the University of Vermont Extension and lead researcher on small grain production systems in Vermont.

University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.